Modern technology – such as window screens and air conditioning – should insulate the US from the pandemic levels of Zika in Brazil and other South American countries.
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A House committee on Wednesday approved an amendment to the state budget to inject $250,000 to set mosquito traps in certain areas of the state and to educate the public about the virus. This way, initial testing doesn’t have to be completed at the Centers for Disease Control.
The Zika virus, which has been linked to birth defects in the children of infected pregnant women, is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, though it can also be spread through sexual contact.
But Democrats say public health officials should not have to choose between the two diseases, noting that 13 new Ebola cases have cropped up in West Africa over the last month.
The case involved a man who traveled to Venezuela and infected his male partner – who had not traveled – upon his return to Texas in January.
The virus causes symptoms including fever, rash, joint pain, headache, muscle pain and pink eye.
“We don’t expect locally-acquired cases here because the species of mosquitoes that are now known to transmit Zika are not found in Rhode Island”, said Dr. Alexander-Scott. While tourists from these countries may contract Zika while overseas, there is no Aedesvector in Canada and Chile in the Americas.
The CDC has listed information for pregnant women living in areas where Zika is active.
Microcephaly is a birth defect in which a baby’s head is smaller than expected when compared to babies of the same sex and age, according to the CDC.
“Given that almost 80 percent of individuals infected with Zika appear to be asymptomatic, this test is insufficient for most people who will become infected”, Murphy added.
And, just days ago, the virus was detected in two pregnant women in British Columbia. The model will allow researchers to better understand how the virus causes disease and aid in the development of antiviral compounds and vaccines.
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There have been no reports of infants getting Zika virus through breastfeeding. When hiking or doing outdoor activities, the department advises wearing federal Environmental Protection Agency-endorsed insect repellant, which when used properly is also safe and effective for pregnant and breast-feeding women. The team learned they could inject Zika virus into the foot pads of the mice, and under their skin, and the virus would then spread throughout the body, including the brain.
